RAGLAN NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1956, 20 January 1885, Page 2

RAGLAN NEWS.

The weather since the commencement of the New Year has been of a mo>t unsettled character, heavy rain «hmvr>i % and nt tunes hail storms, passing river. Tlie crop* us a wholn are looking well. Oats me in a forward stato fur cutting, and in some places have been cut. On the northern slope of Karioi, the potato crop will lie a very good one thin year. Both the European and native settlers deserve credit for the appeariince of thi-* n-eful crop. But upon the well fanned land of Mr Mitchell and some of his neighbours the potato crops this year are just magnifiuent, and in no place hnH the writer seen better piomi.se of a good yield. The grass and clover are knee deep, and cattle of all kinds are in good condition. Last weok our respected settler, Mr Henry Duncan and his esteemed wife, left the district for Auckland, taking their passage m the s.s. Hannah Mokau. The former has lesided hero for mour than thirty years. On Sunday last Mrs Gibbison, the wife of a very old settler living at Kauroa, died after a lingering illness. Her remains were conveyed to tho Okete cemetery, followed by a largo number of settlers [ who had assembled from all parts of the district, and who had met to pay a last tnbuto to the tnoinory of tho departed lady. She will be much mused, not only by relatives and friends in this colony, but also by a largo circle of relatives in New South Wales. Much sympathy was expressed for Mr Gibbison and family. Mrs and Dr. Hooper have left Waitetuna for Fort Galatea. The former wan in charge of tho native school, and the latter acting for Government in case of natives and as public vaccinator for the district. Mr Masters takes chargo of tho native school at Waitetuna, and ho arrived there this weok. It is to bo hoped tho natives will send their children to tho school in larger numbors than they have for some time back. Mr Sutton has commenced to run tho now mail service between hero and Hamilton, and is determined to spare niethcr cxponso or trouble to make it a great success, and it is to be hoped Waikato settlers will patroniso him and avail them selves of tho beneficial effect of Raglan sea, and they will now meet with every attention there. Two new teachers have born appointed to the Ruapuke and Te Mata schools. The land of Mr Chamberlain was offered for sale this week in Auckland, and amongst other purchasers was Mr T. B. Hill, who still continues to have faith in tho future prosperity of the district. Tho terms offered were of a character to induce settlement ; £1 per aero for actual settler, with 10 per cent down, balance at 7 per cent, for five years, the purchaser to lay out the same amount in improvement. To others not intending to improve their purchase £2 per acre, and as there are heveral splendid lots to be picked out of this block, it should bring several new settlers amongst us. Much of the land is very suitable fwr fruit farms, &c. It is to bo hoped tho report is correct that the Government are going to put the Raglan- Waipa road into a good state of repair.— (Own Correspondent, Jan. 16th.)